Biography

Originally from Colfax, Washington, John Kitzhaber moved to Oregon when he was 11 and has lived in the state ever since. He graduated from South Eugene High School in 1965, Dartmouth College in 1969, and Oregon Health & Science University with a medical degree in 1973.[1]

Beginning in 1974, Kitzhaber practiced in rural Roseburg, Oregon as an emergency physician. This led to his interest in health care policy, and his first run for public office.

Kitzhaber serves, or has previously served, in several roles outside his duties as governor, including, but not limited to:

Director, Center for Evidence Based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University

Education

Oregon Health & Science University, M.D., 1973

Dartmouth College, 1968

South Eugene High School, 1965

Political Career

Governor of Oregon (1995-2003, 2011-present)

Upon leaving the Senate, Kitzhaber ran for and was elected governor in 1994; in his first term he passed the Oregon Childrens' Plan. He went on to win re-election and served until 2003. Oregon's term limits law do not limit the total number of terms one person may serve but they do limit an individual to two consecutive terms.

Following the end of his second term, Kitzhaber returned to the medical field and became involved with several non-profits and educational groups. Much of his work has been directed at increasing government funding of and involvement in medical care. He did not have the same success in lobbying for health care legislation he had known as Senate President and as Governor. In 2009, he announced he would seek a third term in office. He was elected in elected to an "unprecedented" third term as Governor in 2010.[1]

Issues

Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")

In December, 2012, Kitzhaber declined to enter Oregon into the federal health-exchange system established under the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as "Obamacare," in favor of setting up a state-based system.[2] Oregon is one of eighteen states - including Colorado, Maryland, New York, New Mexico, and Washington - that decided to create and run individual health-exchange systems by the December 14, 2012 deadline. The exchange is an online marketplace for citizens to purchase health insurance.[3][4]

Death Penalty

Kitzhaber believes that Oregon's death penalty laws are "compromised and inequitable,"[1] and he favors giving murderers life sentences without possibility for parole. When he first took office in 1995, he pledged not to allow any executions to be administered while he was governor, but during his first term, two prisoners were voluntarily executed. In December 2011, now his third term as governor, Kitzhaber, determined to recommit to his initial pledge, issued an order to delay the execution of twice-convicted murderer Gary Haugen. Haugen rejected the reprieve and brought the matter to court. In August, 2012, Circuit Court Senior Judgepedia:Judge Timothy Alexander ruled that Haugen was not obligated to accept Kitzhaber's pardon, due partially to its impermanence; the reprieve would only remain in effect for as long as Kitzhaber held the office. Oregon has twice outlawed the death penalty twice legalized it, most recently in 1984. In pushing this case, the governor sought to provoke a "public re-evaluation"[1] about the death penalty, which could lead to voters initiating a ballot measure for its repeal, but the case had the unintended consequence of probing the boundaries of the governor's authority. Judge Alexander's ruling lays down limits to the governor's power over the fates of condemned prisoners, limits with which Kitzhaber and his lawyers disagree. The governor is expected to appeal the case to a higher court.

Gun control

According to Tim Raphael, Kitzhaber's spokeman, gun control is on the governor's agenda for 2013. "The Governor sees no reason for civilians to have assault weapons – period. He's directed staff to research a range of options for him to consider on firearms regulation, mental health and school safety measures that could be the basis for a comprehensive approach to the problem," Raphael stated.[5]

State Senate (1980-1993(

Following a single term in the lower House, John was elected to the first of what became three Senate terms. During his legislative tenure, he was elected Senate President in 1985 and used his position to draft and pass the Oregon Health Plan.

Campaign donors

Ballotpedia collects information on campaign donors for each year in which a candidate or incumbent is running for election. The following table offers a breakdown of John Kitzhaber's donors each year.[8] Click [show] for more information.